Darline Graham Faces Crowded GOP Primary After Interim Senate Appointment
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Interim Senator Darline Graham, appointed to succeed her late brother Lindsey Graham, is competing in a Republican primary with several well-known challengers, while voters question her experience and campaign visibility.
Darline Graham, who was appointed to fill the Senate seat of her late brother Lindsey Graham, is on the ballot in South Carolina’s Republican primary on Tuesday. The former state official, who has spent most of the campaign period in Washington, faces a field that includes Representatives Russell Fry and Ralph Norman and former Governor Mark Sanford, making a runoff likely.
Graham’s campaign has relied on a video message and limited in-state appearances, emphasizing her work in Washington and her support for President Donald Trump. She told voters she would be “a great friend and ally” to Trump and pledged to earn their votes.
Local Republicans expressed mixed reactions. While some voters appreciated her decision to remain in Washington to vote on legislation, others questioned her readiness for a full term. One voter said, “I think it’s a great honor for her to hold her brother’s spot till November, but it’s time for a change,” and noted concerns about her lack of extensive government experience.
President Trump has endorsed Graham, and the National Republican Senatorial Committee is running television ads on her behalf. Despite the high-profile endorsement, Graham has not held a traditional campaign trail, missing debates and limiting media interactions to a few interviews with Fox News hosts and local outlets.
The primary’s outcome will determine whether Graham secures a full term or if another Republican candidate advances to a runoff scheduled for Aug. 25.